3 Tips for Healthy Lungs

October is a busy month for most as we prepare to head into the holiday season. While it's primarily known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October is also Healthy Lung Month. The CDC reported that 1 in 7 adults have some type of lung disease. This is a big issue! About 10 million Americans are diagnosed with chronic bronchitis each year, and 25 million are believed to be struggling with asthma. Today, we'll be sharing 3 tips for healthy lungs that we can all take preventative steps in our health journey.

Tip number 1 focuses on our diet. It's believed that antioxidants can aid in our lung health. Antioxidants contribute to the neutralization of free radicals that can damage our lung cells. Eating foods rich in beta-carotene, vitamins C, and vitamin E is a great way to incorporate antioxidants into your diet. Beta-carotene is found in veggies like carrots, spinach, lettuce, and tomatoes. That means you can work to improve your lung health while you're enjoying your next salad! 

The second tip has to do with our water intake. We know that water is vital to our health, but there are certain negative side effects of dehydration that are directly tied to our lungs and respiratory system. When we're hydrated, our water intake helps thin the mucus lining our airways and lungs. In addition, staying hydrated helps improve our oxygen levels.

The third tip for today is all about breathing exercises. The American Lung Association encourages us to practice pursed-lip breathing and belly breathing. Pursed-lip breathing reduces the number of breaths you take and keeps your airways open longer. You can visit this link to watch videos on how to practice these exercises for yourself.

Our lung health makes a huge impact on our daily lives. We hope that through the month of October (and beyond) you'll be reminded to practice your breathing exercises, work to stay hydrated, and make sure you're getting your daily dose of antioxidents!